Working member for shaking off fruits to be used in fruit harvesters

ABSTRACT

A working member for shaking off fruits for use in fruit harvesters including a flexible elastic V-shaped element connected at its base to a vibrator imparting oscillatory motion thereto, and the ends of the elastic element being immobile relative to the plane of oscillation of the elastic element.



1. A fruit-harvesting tool for shaking off fruits, comprising: a frame member having a clevis, a generally V-shaped flexible elastic fork element positioned within the clevis of said frame member; an axle encompassed by the base portion of said fork element, vibrator means mounted on said frame member; and a lever pivotally mounted in said frame member, said lever interconnecting said vibrator means and said axle for transmitting oscillating motion to the base portion of said fork element from said vibrator means, the tine ends of said fork element being rigidly fastened to said frame member whereby said tine ends are immobile relative to the plane of oscillation of the base portion of said fork element.
 2. A harvesting tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elastic fork element comprises a polyurethane strap.
 3. A harvesting tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elastic fork element is of a reinforced construction.
 4. A harvesting tool as claimed in claim 2 wherein said elastic fork element is of a reinforced construction.
 5. A harvesting tool as claimed in claim 1 including brackets rigidly connected to said frame member, the tine ends of said elastic fork element being fastened to said brackets. 